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With the holiday season approaching, do you find yourself yearning to travel and escape the borders of South Africa?
There is good news for those with a growing desire to travel. The South African passport has weakened significantly over the past decade. Dropping 18 places since 2008. Unlike the weakening Rand, the news of a weakening passport is actually good news.
This means we can travel to developing nations without the hassle of a visa, but not the major tourism and business destinations such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
According to Henley & Partner’s latest passport index, while South Africa ranks third best passport in Africa, it ranks 52nd in the world, with South Africans being able to visit 102 countries without a visa or visa on arrival.
Japan leads the way, as Japanese citizens have access to a staggering 190 destinations around the world. Singapore comes in second place with 189 available destinations.
South African Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, greets this recent announcement with a great deal of enthusiasm. He explains in today’s globalised economy and society, state leaders need to work together. This will help create a more unified and interconnected society.
He further feels that by closing one’s borders, a country becomes more isolated and leaves the citizens at a disadvantage.
So, where can we as South Africans travel to without the burden of a visa? Here is a list of some of the destinations you can jet off to if you have a passport at hand.
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Panama
- Philippines
- Peru
- • Tanzania
- • Thailand
- • Trinidad and Tobago
- • Venezuela
If you don’t have a passport, be sure to get one now and take advantage of the weakening passport ranking. Be sure to make your upcoming holiday season a memorable one.
